Hiller's: We're not abandoning the neighborhood

News that the owners of Hiller’s Market on 12 Mile Road in Berkley were closing the store struck a nerve among residents of the tiny enclave earlier this week, but the silver lining is that there soon may be a bigger, better store that resembles a current Hiller’s in southern Oakland County.

The seven-store chain told customers via Facebook that it would close the Berkley location effective Nov. 1. The reason for the store’s closure is that it would be impossible to renovate the 10,000-square-foot location into a store that could accommodate all of the offerings Hiller’s customers enjoy at other locations throughout Michigan, said Justin Hiller, the vice president of Hiller’s Markets.

“There were many factors that entered into this decision,” he said. “The store is in dire need of renovation: however, the small footprint of the space makes it impossible for us to renovate to the standards of our other stores. Parking is also an issue at this location.”

But Hiller also indicated that the loyalty of the grocer’s south Oakland customer base is not likely to go unrewarded for long because the grocer is seeking to lease a much larger space in the vicinity of the Berkley spot.

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“We’re not abandoning the neighborhood, however,” he said. “We are currently in negotiations for another site in the Berkley/Royal Oak area, and plan to build a new store that is up to the standards of our other markets.”

Hiller’s Markets operates locations in Ann Arbor, Commerce Township, Plymouth, Northville, Union Lake and West Bloomfield, in addition to Berkley. The stores are known for offering several specialties, including an extensive beer and wine section, and extras such as an extensive floral section.

The departure of Hiller’s does not leave the community of Berkley without a grocery store; it is still home to Westborn Market on 12 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue. And there are other major chain grocers in nearby Royal Oak, including Kroger’s and Meijer’s.

Still, a Facebook page called “ Please Stay Open Hiller’s of Berkley” garnered 1,654 likes by Sept. 21. The page was posted on Sept. 18.

May of the postings lamented the fact that the store would be closing.

“I can remember the weekend after I bought my house in Berkley, 20 years ago, sitting in the Berkley Front with my Dad, after he helped me fix one thing or another in my new house seeing Hiller’s across the street,” posted Paul Boddy, a resident of Berkley. “Hey, we have a grocery store right in town, cool. I have been loyally shopping there for the last 20 years and I am very sad to hear about its closure. Berkley will not be the same without Hiller’s.”

Comments on Hiller’s main Facebook page were less than charitable.

“I cannot believe that you are closing a location that has supported you thru good and bad times,” said Nancy Granstrom Goldstein, who also lives in Berkley. “According to some of the employees, it doesn’t look like you will be opening anything close to Berkley for some time.”

Alan Semonian, the president of the Berkley Downtown Development Authority, said he’s sad that Hiller’s is closing, but that he understands the decision to do so.

“I know it’s a place that would be difficult to renovate,” he said. “But I’m also confident that another business will find the space attractive because it’s in the downtown area.”

Justin Hiller said specifics of opening a new location are not set.

“There is no set location, so no date,” he said.“We are looking at a piece, but not the only bid.”

He added that the loyalty of south Oakland shoppers has not gone unnoticed.

“We appreciate your loyalty over the years and hope you will continue to visit us at our other locations until the new store location is determined and built,” he said.